Ready to get started?First of all make sure you wash and dry your fabric to pre-shrink them. That way they won't go wonky later when they get washed. Then on a large work surface lay out the cotton on top of the flannel with WRONG sides together, keeping them nice and flat and smooth. Pin all across the surface of the fabric to make sure they don't shift while you're working. I used my full cuts of fabric to end up with a blanket that's about 45" square, but really you can make it any size you want!

Next cut along the edges of the fabric (through both layers) to trim up and uneven or untidy edges from when the fabric was cut or washed. If you have a patterned fabric like me, make sure you trim the fabric evenly! See how I cut along the point of one of the chevrons? That's how I made sure my blanket came out nice and square (although it wouldn't matter so much if you have a random patterned fabric).

Now you can round the corners. Trace the edge of a bowl in each corner to make sure they all come out the same.

Then just cut along the line. Now you can oooh and aaah at the pretty rounded corner. (but if square corners float your boat, no sweat. just skip this part!)

Now we can start attaching the bias tape. When you first open the tape, one side should be a teensy bit wider than the other (it's my bottom edge in this pic).

On the back side of your blanket (the flannel side) lay the bias tape down with the wider edge on bottom and unfold it. Line the bottom edge up with the edge of your blanket and pin it in place. It's easiest to start on a straight part like the middle of one side.

Work your way around the edge of the blanket, pinning the bias tape in place as you go. Round the corners as smoothly as you can.

When you get to the end of the first tape fold the end over like this.

Then open up your next pack of bias tape and (with the wider side down again) lay the end right over the folded tail of the first piece. Pin it in place. Keep working around the blanket with this bias tape until you get back to your starting point.

Back at the beginning, you'll need to fold up the starting edge of your tape like this.

Then run the end of the bias tape right over it and cut off the extra leaving an inch or so of overlap.

Now you'll want to stitch right along the crease that is closest to the edge, all the way around the blanket. Back stitch at the beginning and end.

Once that is sewn in place, fold the bias tape up on that crease, and wrap it over to the front side of the blanket. Pin it down.

This is the corner with the bias tape in place.

Now on the right side of your blanket (the cotton side) stitch right along the edge of the bias tape to attach it. Go all the way around the blanket and back stitch at the beginning and end.

It should catch the backside of the bias tape too, and when you're finished you'll have this:

And guess what guys? You're done!

Just be sure to remove any pins before you wrap it up and put it under the tree. We don't need any babies getting poked!

So maybe not a fantastic price for a baby blanket, but it's homemade and so pretty! And like I said you could make it for less if you shop smarter than I did (like wait for bias tape to go on sale or buy the cotton when it's not on sale so you could use a 40% off coupon instead). Such is the cost of impatience. :)

I love love love how this blanket turned out... so bright and fun and perfect for a boy. Although a pretty pink fabric would make it perfect for a girl two. But, you know, I'm usually working with boys over here. :)

So that's it for day one! You can also check out my super fast and easy flannel receiving blanket tutorial here, and be sure to come back tomorrow when we'll be making a hanging wet bag!

And now that the business is taken care of, here is a nice little laugh brought to you by small boy and giant baby.

B calls "Mama! Take picture us!"

Then he starts to get a little bored. So does A.

B decides to give A a kiss... but those little lips can't quite reach.

B rolls in closer. A's life flashes before his eyes.

B decides HE wants a kiss from A. A does not oblige.

B continues to rubs his head all over A's face while he waits for the kiss.

See you guys tomorrow!

**UPDATE**
I used the same tutorial to make a slightly larger version for my bigger boy. You can check it out here.

Hi! I'm Georgia! I'm a full time wife & mommy, a lover of yard sales, curb finds, DIY, and all things thrifty. I'm always looking for low cost ways to make this place feel like home. More about me and my family